I walked her home. We bought take away coffees, and walked slowly, sipping our drinks, talking about... I don't know what, because all I could hear in my head was the endless loop of, Oh God, Oh God, what do I do when she works out I'm an idiot?

We had been walking for fifteen minutes before she stared at her coffee and then at me, her expression sagging.

“Yeah.” She threw the coffee in the trash. “I'm going to have deadly wind and a crawling stomach, but I'm probably not going to throw up.”

“Probably?” I asked.

“I'm nervous too,” she complained, breaking into a laugh. “Sorry.”

“Are you okay?” I blathered, in a bit of a panic. I grabbed her hand tight, as though I might suddenly be able to sense her illness through a healing touch. She did not seem to mind. “Did I buy the wrong coffee? I didn't mean to poison you.”

“No. I wasn't thinking and I just forgot.”

“How?”

Her smile turned coy and knowing, in a way people didn't smile at me. She put a hand on my cheek and guided me to kiss her lips. It was my first, so it was awkward and clumsy, but...apparently not awkward or clumsy enough to scare her off.

I saw her every night that week. Our first real date was to the seaside, so she could play the arcade games. Her driving lesson had not gone well, and she took out her frustrations on the digital enemies with button mashing and swearing.

“Bloody Hell!” I chuckled.

“Die! You cold sore riddled, festering foreskin!”

“What did they do to you?”

“They are invaders from another world, they deserve to feel my wrath!” She snarled. “Well, mostly because that stupid git who almost hit me on the roundabout can't! And my Dad!” Her knuckles went white as she punched the fire button. “If I could zap Dad I would, that feckless little runt! But, I can't, so these little alien buggers will pay! Argh! You bloody peggers!”

The screen flashed red. Game Over.

Purged of her anger, she curled into my arms, her cheek red hot against mine.

We sat on the beach, watched the waves crash in, and listened to music on shared headphones.

She considered the finger with which I stroked her wrists. “You know you are shaking?”

“I am?”

“Yeah.” She placed my hands on her side. “Do I make you that nervous?”

I didn't answer.

“Let me guess...I'm so much more beautiful than all the other girls?”

“You are beautiful,” I agreed, “and there are no other girls.”

“I know.” She shrank back. “Why would you want anybody else?”

“I meant...” I could feel my words turning to a confession. “There haven't been any others.”

“Oh.” She shifted so we lay back, and she could rest her head on my chest. “Really?”

“You couldn't tell?”

She chuckled.

“And...”

“And?” She asked.

“And... I'm afraid to let this happen, when...” I closed my eyes. “You know that in a few weeks I'm not going to be around much?”

“Oh.” She smiled. “So, you are playing for keeps?”

That she had to ask, unsettled me. I drew back and mumbled an apology. She put her fingers over my lips.

“Are those the only reasons you are so scared?” she whispered.

“Well, that and any moment now you are going to realise I'm a dork, and—”

She giggled and put my hand on her cheek. “It's the good kind of scared right?”

It was.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

T. E. Hodden trained in engineering, and works in the rail industry. He writes as a hobby, when he is not walking the Kent coast, looking for forgotten nooks and crannies of history and folklore.

Sometimes you shouldn't ask questions you aren't prepared to hear the answers to...

Cori Winters life seems to be going according to the plan. While completing her PhD in Chemistry, Cori is offered a Research Fellowship, by one of the most accomplished Chemists in the Country. In addition, Cori has finally agreed to marry her long term boyfriend, Erik.

Abandoned at a young age, Cori has been told growing up that her biological mother has been MIA due to a severe illness. After a visit with her father, Cori discovers her dad sending a large amount of cash to an unknown woman. Cori decides to take matters into her own hands where she finally seek answers regarding her mother. However, sometimes secrets are better kept hidden.

After a childhood incident ruined any shot of Jesse having a relationship with his parents, he is finally glad to be living on his own, where he isn't constantly reminded of what happened. That is, until his seventeen-year old step sister, Bethany, confides in him that she's pregnant. Jesse vows to help Bethany, but what is the right choice to make when she wants to keep her pregnancy a secret? The truth is bound to come out.

Cori and Jesse grow closer, when Cori's fiancée attends a wedding in Italy. Cori and Jesse relate to one another, when each confides secrets of their own. However, when each reveal their secrets, will the other be able to handle the truth?

The situation with Bethany was worse than I thought. The
last thing I thought she would tell me was that she is pregnant. This is
definitely a problem I can't fix for her. Bethany is definitely not ready to be
a mom. I grimace reflecting on how the other night went.

"Bethany? Is that
you?" I whisper-yell to a black hooded figure sitting on rock. It's dark
outside, and I can barely see, so I am hoping it's her.

"Yes, it's
me." She turns around, and I can see her blonde hair sticking out under
her hood. I sit down next to her on the rock. "What's going on?"

"I screwed
up." She says it so quietly I almost don't hear her.

"I know you told
me that, but I promise whatever it is we can figure it out. You know you can
trust me."

Bethany starts
silently crying, and I don't know how to comfort her because she hasn't told me
what's going on. "I know I can trust you. I just don't want you to be mad
at me."

I sigh. "I could
never be mad at you. Have I ever been mad at you?"

Bethany hiccups.
"No."

"So why would
this time be any different?"

"Because this
mistake isn't like all those other times. It's worse."

"Try me."

Bethany uses the arms
of her sweatshirt to wipe away her tears. "I'm pregnant."

What? That was not
what I was expecting. There is no way. Those were the absolute last words I
expected to come out of her mouth.

"How?"

Bethany gives me the
'really?' look.

I shake my head.
"I mean I know how, but I thought you weren't sexually active. How do you
know for sure that you are pregnant? Did you go to the doctor's? Did you take a
test?"

Bethany is silent for
a few beats, and I know she is trying to keep her emotions in check. "I
took six pregnancy tests and they all came back positive. I used different
brands and even took them on different days, but they all came back
positive."

I realize I am
lecturing her like a parent, and I know that's not why she confiding in me. If
she wanted a lecture she would have told her dad. However, the disappointment I
feel is probably close to how a parent would feel.

Bethany is my step
sister. I am nine years older than her, so in some ways I feel I have to look
out for her. She is seventeen and still in high school....

~~~oOo~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Avery Woods lives in beautiful, but sometimes rainy Vancouver, BC, Canada. In addition to writing, Avery Woods works as a full time Registered Nurse. When she's not writing or working as a nurse you can find her consuming books by the minute. Trust is her first book.

Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 brings you heartwarming
contemporary romances that celebrate the joy of the season around the world,
including in snowy Maine and the sun-kissed skies of Florida, the mountains of
Colorado, small-town Illinois and South Carolina, New York to San Francisco,
and even the glittering lights of Paris and the old-world charm of Florence.
The Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 bundle features all-new, standalone novellas that
will make you smile and fill your heart with the Christmas spirit.

Christmas With The Poker Group by Beate Boeker, USA
Today Bestselling Author. After losing her beloved grandmother and getting
dumped by her boyfriend, Sabrina is left feeling like Scrooge this Christmas.
She makes a plan to survive the holidays in Florence, only to realize her
grieving grandfather has a plan of his own. One that involves the crazy Mantoni
family and the distractingly handsome man she’s determined to avoid. It’s
beginning to look a lot like a tricky Christmas.

Christmas With The Carmichaels by Christine Bush, USA
Today Bestselling Author. Widow and retiree Gabby is ready for a rocking chair.
At least according to her daughter. Except maybe she’s not. After getting
stranded in a Maine snowstorm with a silver-haired fox, Gabby might find the
courage to say “yes” to life once more, and find a Christmas love she never
expected.

The Mistletoe Bachelor Auction by Milou Koenings, USA
Today bestselling author. When a supermodel with a string of bad news
boyfriends “wins” a volunteer firefighter at a charity bachelor auction, Rose
and Ryan might both discover they’ve found their perfect Christmas match. A fun
and romantic holiday tale set in the fictional town of Green Pines, Illinois.

Sweet Peppermint Kisses by Josie Riviera, USA Today
Bestselling Author. Sometimes the best gifts are hiding right under your
Christmas tree. His emotions were once trampled flat. Can he throw his heart
over the fence toward the ultimate Christmas gift—a future filled with love? A
holiday tale about the healing power of love, set in the charming fictional
town of Cherish, South Carolina.

Christmas In Paris by Roxanne Rustand, USA Today
Bestselling Author. Kindergarten teacher Heather thought all her dreams were
coming true—until she was jilted by her fiancé three months before their
Christmas wedding. Since the honeymoon to Paris is already paid for, Heather
determines to go sans groom and have a great time, no matter what. Love is not
part of her travel plans, but when a handsome young doctor literally runs into
her on the street, the magic of Christmas in Paris may cause a change of heart.

Second Chance Christmas by Kristin Wallace, USA Today
Bestselling Author. Ten years ago, Mia Reynolds and Win Barrington spent one
magical Christmas together—until lies and manipulation tore them apart, and
left Mia to raise a daughter all on her own. Now, both are back in their
hometown of Palm Cove, Florida just in time for the holidays. Once they uncover
the truth about what happened, can Mia and Win rediscover love and celebrate a
Second Chance Christmas with their daughter?

Ghosts From Christmas Past by Mary Alford,
Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author. She was the love of his life, until a
tragic accident on Christmas Eve left Charlotte Swenson in a coma. For eight
years, Sheriff Dylan Parker of Bitter Creek, Colorado has held on to the hope
that somehow his love will find a way back to him. And when Charlotte opens her
eyes, just days before Christmas, Dylan can’t help but believe a holiday
miracle may grant his every wish.

Christmas Pizza To The Rescue by Jean C. Gordon. When
a freak winter storm strands them alone at the Team Macachek barracks in
Central New York, champion motocross racer Royce Evans and out-of-work
investigative reporter turned pizza deliverer Samantha Linder strike a bargain
that benefits them both. But when it appears Sam has broken the agreement, will
the spirit of Christmas be strong enough to save their blossoming holiday love?

The Love Clause by Liwen. Y. Ho. He needs a fake
girlfriend to advance his career. She needs a pretend date to keep her mom off
her case during the holidays. The solution to both of their problems? A
contractual relationship with one clause: neither of them can fall in love. A
Christmas tale set in romantic San Francisco that will cause this reluctant
couple to rethink the “no love” clause.

All nine authors in this
boxed set write sweet/wholesome romances and are members of Sweet Romance
Reads, a group of authors whose books contain no sex, violence, or strong
language. While the emotional stakes are high as the characters’ relationships
grow, lovemaking is not described in these stories. Think movies rated G or PG.
Therefore, Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 can be enjoyed by romance readers of
any age.

Pull up a chair by a cozy
fire, pour a cup of hot chocolate and allow these bestselling and
award-winning authors to bring the holiday season alive as they warm your
heart.

Beate Boeker is a USA Today bestselling
author with a passion for books that brim over with mischief & humor. She
writes sweet, sophisticated romantic fiction and cozy mysteries, many of them
set in beautiful Italy. While “Boeker” means “books” in a German dialect, her
first name Beate can be translated as “Happy” . . . and with a name that reads
“Happy Books,” what else could she do but write novels with a happy ending?

Christine Bush is an award-winning
author of many sweet romances, mysteries, and novellas. When she’s not writing,
she can be found teaching Psychology at a local college, working as a Marriage
and Family Therapist in private practice, or (mostly) spending time with her
twelve grandchildren.

USA Today bestselling author Milou Koenings writes heartwarming romance
novels because sweet stories with happy endings are like chocolate – they bring
joy to the world and so make it a better place. She’s lived all over the world,
working as an editor and newspaper columnist, but loves staying home with her
family most of all. She's the author of the Green Pines Romance series.

Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY bestselling author
of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like
Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully
supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who
constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing
renovations.

USA Today bestselling author Roxanne Rustand is the author of thirty-five
traditionally published novels, plus four indie novels. She was a Golden Heart
finalist twice, and a Golden Heart winner in 1995. She has won two RT Magazine
Reviewers’ Choice Awards, and was nominated for an RT Magazine Career
Achievement Award. Her earlier books were secular, but she now writes sweet
indie romance, and inspirational romance for Love Inspired.

Kristin Wallace is a USA Today
bestselling author of inspirational, contemporary and women’s fiction filled
with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith.” Her popular series include the
Covington Falls Chronicles and Shellwater Key Tales.

Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author Mary
Alford was inspired to become a writer after reading such romantic suspense
greats as Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. Creating characters and throwing
them into dangerous situations that test their faith was a challenge, but 2012
Mary received “the call” to publish her first book — a dream come true. Today,
Mary writes Christian romantic suspense, and small-town contemporary romances.

Liwen Y. Ho writes sweet and inspirational
romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots). She
lives in California with her family and blogs about life as a recovering
perfectionist.